Flintless gas-fueled lighter



Jan 24 1967 P. LAFFITTE ETAL l 3,299,675

FLINTLES S GAS -FUELED L IGHTER Jan. 24, 1967 P. LAFFITTE ETAL FLINTLESS GAS-FUELED LIGHTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 22, 1964 )l 1 1 Y l f v BY L United States Patent O 3,299,675 FLINTLESS GAS-FUELED LIGHTER Paul Laiitte,v Ralph Delbo'urgo and Marcel Quercia, Paris, France, assignors to Flaminaire Marcel Quercia, Paris, France, a company Filed `luly 22, 1964, Ser. No. 384,300 Claims priority, application France, Aug. 2, 1963, 943,665, Patent 1,372,046 14 Claims. (Cl. 67-7) This invention relates -to the eld of lighters and more particularly to lighters of the gas-fueled type.

Workers in the field of gaseous fuel are known to have attempted to induce combustion in certain types of gas, such as the types normally supplied by municipal gas companies, which types have a large percentage o-f hydrogen, by simply putting them in the presence of a platinum-based catalyst. However, most combustible gases, in particular methane, butane, propane, etc., if they oxidize at all in the presence `of such a catalyst, lead to slow combustion land cannot reach a temperature sufficient to generate -a flame.

The present invention is mainly concerned with eliminating this shortcoming -by the provision of a gas-fueled lighter in combination with a ysupply of a peroxide and a catalyst capable of decomposing exothermly the peroxide and of igniting the gaseous fuel, as well las with means for conducting to the catalystboth a flow of said gaseous fuel and a sufficient quantity of the peroxide to assure the ignition of the gas.

It is another object of this invention to eliminate the need for spark producing means in a cigarette lighter.

A further object of this invention is to produce a lighter which functions uniquely through chemical action.

Ignition is thus assured, according to the principles of this invention, by the ex-othermic decomposition of the peroxide on the catalyst and by the favourable presence of monatomic oxygen produced by this decomposition. This procedure has been found to be able to ignite gaseous fuels, with each ignition requiring only a small quantity of peroxide.

The peroxide used in the embodiments of the present invention is preferably hydrogen peroxide -in a suiciently pure state to be stable and in a concentration greater than 65%, preferably superior to 90% and even more preferably in the vicinity of 100%.

For the catalyst it has been found preferable to use a mass of platinum or of palladium, alone or in combination, or one or both of them in association with silver, the catalytic mass being preferably used in its activated form.

These and other useful embodiments of the present invention will be pointed out in the following description and in the annexed claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. l shows a longitudinal cross sectional view of a first embodiment of a gas fueled lighter of the present invention in its closed position;

FIG. 2 shows the same view of the lighter in its operating condition;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show longitudinal, cross sectional views of two forms of burner heads usable with the lighter of FIGS. l and 2;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show longitudinal, cross sectional views of various forms, possible for the catalytic mass used with the present invention;

FIG. 8 .shows a longitudinal, cross sectional View of a variation yof the hydrogen peroxide reservoir of FIGS. l and 2; and

FIG. 9 is a plan view taken along the plane IX-IX of FIG. 8.

AIn accordance with the present invention, the lighter 3,299,675 Patented `ian. 24, 1967 ICC system comprises, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2: a supply of hydrogen peroxide containe-d, for example, in a reservoir 1; a supply of gaseous fuel stored under pressure in a reservoir a catalyst mounted in a burner 2 in such a position as to assure the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide, the raising of the temperature of the gas, and the ignition of the gaseous fuel; and means for bringing the -gaseous fuel from reservoir 5, through conduit 3, into the burner, and for bringing a quantity of hydrogen peroxide `sufficient to assure the ignition of the gas from reservoir 1, through conduit 4, into the burner, so that both uids will come in contact with the catalyst.

The catalyst .is preferably constituted by platinum in an activated form, i.e., prepared so as to present a large surface area for a given volume. This catalyst could thus be, as is shown in FIG. 3, in the form of a bead of spongy platinum 6 attached to a platinum wire 7.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the wire-7 could be disposed in the upper portion of conduit 4, this portion being constituted by a metallic tube which is crimped against the wire at 4a so as to grip the wire and thus maintain y the catalyst in position on top of conduit 4. The crimp 4a does not close olf conduit 4 and therefore does not impede the passage of the hydrogen peroxide to bead 6.

The outlet ends of conduits 3 and 4 are disposed within a small cup which serves as the burner 2. This small cup is preferably made of a material which, on the one hand, is capable of absorbing any small excesses of liquid which might form at the time of the decomposition of the peroxide and, 'on the other hand, has heat insulating properties in order to reduce the heat dissipation from the catalyst to a minimum. The catalyst bead is made as small as possible so as to reduce its thermal inertia. To these ends, burner 2 is preferably made of a porous ceramic material.

FIG. 4 shows a structure identical with that of FIG. 3, with the exception that burner 2a is given a slightly different configuration which tends to improve its heat insulating characteristics.

The catalyst 6 could also be made, in accordance with the present invention, of a combination of two appropriate catalysts, as has been discussed earlier.

. FIG. 5 shows one such variation comprising a porous catalyst mass 6a, having silver as a base, disposed around the outlet of conduit 4 and having a platinum Wire 6b extending from its upper portion, and sealed therein.

In the modification shown in FIG. 6, the silver-based porous mass 6a, which surrounds the outlet of conduit 4, is surmounted by a porous platinum-based mass 6c.

According to still another modification, as shown in FIG. 7, a porous catalytical mass 6d composed of several` materials could be made in the form of a single mass coveringthe outlet end of conduit 4 and composed of more or less uniformly distributed, fine particules of, for example, platinum, palladium and silver.

It should be noted that in FIGS. 5 to 7, the outlet end of Igas conduit 3 is shown at right `angles to conduit 4 and directed towards the catalytical mass. This represents one possible `modification of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 for improving the contact between the gaseous fuel and the catalyst.

Returning now to FIGS. l and 2, the lighter system which has a generally tubular shape, comprises means for causing the delivery of hydrogen peroxide, from reservoir 1 through conduit 4, and of gaseous fuel, from reservoir 5 through conduit 3, to burner 2, where they will come in contact with catalyst 6. Peroxide reservoir 1 is made of a supple materia-l, such as polyethylene, or of another material which will not interfere with the stability of the peroxide, such as polytetrouoroethylene, sold under the trade name of Teon.

Gas reservoir 5 is furnished with an outlet Valve which will open when its pin 8 is pressed downward, so as to permit the escape of gas through an opening surrounding pin 8. Gaseous fuel reservoirs functioning in this manner are well known in the art and in fact represent the most common type of refill element sold for gas cigarette ligh-ters. Therefore, neither the structure of the reservoir nor of its outlet valve will be treated in detail here.

In order to effect a depressi-on lof pin 8, there is Idisposed within lighter housing 9 a movable :assembly which is mounted so as to -be -able tomove vertically in the housing. This assembly comprises a head 10 which bears against the upper surface of pin 8 and which has channelings 13, 14 ext-ending therethrough, for the passage of gas. Passa-ges 13, 14 `are connected to ilexible conduit 3 by the intermediary of a canal 15, arranged in mova-ble support 12, and pipe 16. Head 18 is joined to an annular, resilient, exiible seal 11 which has its lower edge bearing against the upper surface of reservoir in the region around pin 8 and the reservoir outlet opening so as to ensure that all of the gas leaving reservoir 5 will be directed into channeling 13. Head supports, and is aixed to, member 12.

The movable assembly comprises, in addition to plate 12 and head 1W, reservoir 1 and a piston 17 which rests on reservoir 1 and which has a central `opening through which conduit 4 communicates with reservoir 1. Piston 17 is arranged to slide in housing 9 so as to compress reservoir 1. The downward movement of piston 17 is produced 'by the pressure exerted on the upper surface thereof by a pair of forks 18 (only one of which appears in FIGS. 1 and 2, the other fork being in lfront of the plane of these figs.) located on .opposite sides of the central opening thereof, these `forks being rigidly joined, and preferably integral with, a lever 19 pivoted to housing 9 'by pivot 29 which is situated just lbelow the forks 18.

When a force similar to that indicate-d by arrow F is applied to lever 19, the lever is rotated, causing forks 18 to urge piston 17 downward. This movement of piston 17 urges reservoir 1, plate 12 and head 10y in a downward direction. f

The downward movement which units 17, 1, 12 and 10 experience together, i.e., that distance over which all of the elements move as one solid piece, is determined by the movement required to fully depress pin 8, after which depression head 10 `and support 12 will -be restrained from -descending further.

If, after this point is reached, lever 19 continues to cause forks 18 to move piston 17 downward, reservoir 1 will be compressed against the now stationary support 12. This compression causes hydrogen peroxide to be forced upward through conduit 4 into burner 2. This action will be -described in detail at a later point herein.

When a suicient quantity :of peroxide has reached catalyst 6 to cause the ignition iof the gaseous fuel, it is desirable to -be able to stop the flow of peroxide While maintaining the flow' of gas.

In order to achieve this result, means are provided for retaining head 10 in its depressed position, even after the force F has been removed from lever 19. This arrangement thus permits pin 8 to be maintained in the position wherein it maintains the valve of reservoir 5 open.

One embodiment :of such means is shown in the figures las comprising a horizontally movable fbolt 20 loaded by a compressed spring 21 and furnished with a projection which, when head 10` reaches its lowest position, slides over a horizontal rim 22 of the head so as to maintain head 10 in this position even after the force F has been removed from lever 19 and the compression of reservoir 1 has ceased. This movement of 'bolt 20 is produced by a suitably calibrated spring 21. When the compression force on reservoir 1 is removed, peroxide `ceases to flow to burner 2.

Thus, when lever 19 is released, head 10, support 12 and the bottom of reservoir 1 remain in the position shown in FIG. 2, assuring the continued flow of gas from reservoir 5, through conduit 3, to burner 2. At the same time, piston 17 will move slightly upward, under the reaction force created by the resilient material of reservoir 1, until this reservoir has resumed the normal configuration shown in FIG. l, breaking the contact between passages 34 and 35, removing the pressure on the liquid in-reservoir 1, and thus terminating the tiow of liquid through conduit 4. t

The flame 23 will continue to burn until the bolt 20 has 'been pushed yblack to its original position, as shown in FIG. l, `at which time rim 2|2 will be cleared and head 10, support 12, reservoir 1 and piston 17 will be urge-d back into their FIG. l positions :by the reaction force of resilient, flexible seal 11, thereby permitting pin 8 to also return to the position shown in FIG. l, thus closing the out-let of reservoir 5 and terminating vthe flow of gaseous fuel to burner 2.

One simple and effective :means for urging bolt 20 back to its retracted position, as is shown in FIGS. l and 2, is constituted by forming the lower extremity lof lever 19 so that it will abut against one end of bolt 20 in order that a force applied to the lever in the direction of the arrow f will urge bolt 20 back into its retracted position.

The top of the housing and the burner are preferablyv closed, for example, 4by a cap 24 pivotally mounted on housing 9 by means of a -pivot 25 around which is mounted a hinge spring'26 which tends to urge the cap into the open position shown in FIG. 2. Cap 24 is maintained in its closed position by a bolt 27 having a .roundedor tapered housing-engaging end which, when cap 24 is in its FIG. 1 position, is lightly, but firmly, held in a mating notch 28 in housing 9 by a suitably shaped end of hinge spring 26.

' In order to permit cap 24 to swing open, means are provided in housing 9 for urging bolt 27 outof seat 28 at the beginning of movement of lever 19 and thus permitting spring 26 to rotate the cap 24 into its open position. These means are constituted by a vertically movable piece mounted in housing 9 at a point justvbelow boltl 27 and having a cammed lower surface which as shaped to slide on a similar camming surface formed on the leading portion of the upper edge of lever 19. With this arrangement, lever 19, at the beginning of its travel, will force the movable piece upward, causing bolt 27 to slide laterally out of its notch 28, and thus permitting cap 24 to swing open. To close cap 24 after a light has been obtained, it is only necessary to manually close cap 24 so that bolt 27 mates with notch 28, lever 19 and the movable piece having by this time returned to the positions shown in FIG. l.

Returning now to the structure and operation of reservoir 1, one embodiment thereof is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to have a configuration such that in its uncompressed state, its gaseous contents communicate with the ambient air, preferably through conduit -4.

The reservoir is constructed so as to' have, above its base, two coaxial tubular elements 31, 32 each of which is directed toward the interior of the reservoir, the former element being mounted on the top surface, and the latter being mounted on the bottom surface, of the reservoir. These two elements are normally maintained apa-rt from each other by the resiliency of the supple envelope 33 which forms the reservoir. this envelope is forced downward by the descent of piston 17, these two elements are forced together, end-to-end, in such a way as to produce an air-tight seal between their surfaces.

The lower tubular element 32 is furnished with an axial passage 34 having a vertical portion and a lower horizontal portion which communicates between the lower end of the vertical portion and the bottom of the liquidcontaining region of reservoir 1. The-upper tubular element 31 contains a vertical passage 35 extendingcom- When the upper portion of y' pletely therethrough and coaxial with the vertical portion of passage 34 so that when elements 31 and 32 are forced together, passages 34 and 35 are joined together to form a single passage. The upper portion of element 31 is connected to cond-uit 4 in such a way that the interior of this conduit communicates with passage 35. Thus, when elements 31 and 32 are forced together, a continuous, relatively narrow passage is created ybetween the liquid in lreservoir 1 and the catalytical mass 6 at the top of conduit 4.

Reservoir 1 is designed so that, even when it contains its maximum quantity of peroxide, this liquid can not pass out of reservoir 1, even if the device is inverted, when the reservoir is in its normal, uncompressed configuration. This safety feature is obtained by such a limitation of the maximum yperoxide contents in reservoir 1 and lby such a form of said reservoir 1 that the peroxide can never ow over the lower surface of element 31, regardless of the position of the assembly. The above-noted limitation of the quantity of liquid requires that, with the apparatus upright, this liquid must not extend above the upper surface of element 32. One of the advantages of this limitation is that no liquid will be present to impede the formation of a good contact between elements 31 and 32.

'Wh-en piston 17 begins to compress the reservoir thus established, element 35 begins to move downward, but -passage 35 continues to permit the air in reservoir 1 to communicate with the ambient ai-r until such time as elements 34 and 35 are tightly pressed together to form the above-described single passage (FIG. 2). Thus, no pressure is exerted on the peroxide until this connection has been achieved.

When the connection has been formed, the air in reservoir 1 is sealed off from passage 35. The continued compression of reservoir 1 then causes the air trapped therein to exert a pressure on the peroxide, causing the latter to Ibe forced upward in the passage composed of passages 34.and 35 and conduit 4. Because of the small internal diameter of conduit 4, only a relatively small added compression is required to force a suflicient quantity of liquid up to catalytic mass 6.

When the Irelease of lever 19 causes the compression force on reservoir 1 to be removed, the resiliency of envelope 33 causes the reservoir to return to its normal position (FIG. 1) in which elements 31 and 32 are once again separated from one another, thus breaking the connection between the peroxide mass and passage 34. It thus results that the interior of reservoir 1 is once again in communication with the, external environment so that all danger of a buildup of pressure in the reservoir ldue to any unexpected decomposition of the peroxide is eliminated.

The structure of the reservoir of FIG. 1 permits an undetermined quantity of fluid to fiow because a fiow will continue as long as the envelope 33 continues to experience a decreasing volume. While such a structure functions satisfactorily, it has been found more desirable to utilize a reservoir structure which permits a predetermined quantity of peroxide to be delivered to the catalyst each time the lighter is used.

One variation of such a structure is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and may be substituted directly in the assembly of FIGS. l and 2, or may be used in a modified lighter from which locking mechanism 20 has been eliminated. This simplification is made possible because, due to the fact that each manipulation of the lighter will cause only a predetermined quantity of liquid to flow, the flow of gas may be maintained Iby a continued pressure on the lighter actuating means and the flame will be extinguished only by the release of these actuating means. Such actuating means may |be constituted by lever 19, or by any appropriately arranged lever, button, or handle.

The modified peroxide reservoir of FIG. S has a resilient, flexible envelope 33a having at the center of its lower surface a small cavity 36 which forms .a basin for holding a fixed quantity of liquid. Above basin 36 is disposed a tubular element 32a containing an axially disposed vertical passage 34a. Element 32a is suspended in the reservoir by means of a series of spokes 37 which are fastened to a ring which is, in turn, held between the two h'ermetically sealed halves making up envelope 33a.

The `position and preferred shapes of a modified -piston 17a and lsupport 12a are shown in dotted lines in FIG. 8.

A second tubular element 31a, aligned with element 32a and having a vertical pass-age 35a in alignment with passages 34a is arranged in t-he upper surface of envelope 33a. Passage 35a is arranged to pass out of the envelope, thus placing the interior of reservoir 1 in communication with the external environment, through the intermediary of lpassage 4. The lower end lof element 31a is furnished with a downwardly extending, annular sealing lip 39 which is shaped and positioned to fit into an upwardly opening annular notch 38 cut in the upper surface of element 32a, this latter surface being disposed approximately midway between the top and bottom `of envelope 33a.

When such a structure is compressed by the downward movement of piston 17u, the upper tubular element descends until lip `39 rests in notch 38 and .element 32a 'l moves downward, causing a deformation of spokes 37,

until contacting the walls of basin 36.

After the lower edge of element 32a makes contact with the walls of basin 36 and the lip 39 makes contact with notch 38, all in an impermeable manner, the continued movement of piston 17a forces element 32a further down into basin 36. The liquid in this basin, having nowhere else to go, is forced upward through passages 34a, 35a and 4 to catalyst mass 6. This fiow conti-nues until element 32a reaches the end of its travel, at which time it has fiattened basin 36 and the surface thereof is fiat .against the bottom-surface of element 32a. Elements 31a and 32a now f-orm a solid, semi-rigid column so that the downward force of piston 17a may be maintained in order to cause support 12a ,and head 10 to maintain the valve of reservoir 5 open. Since no further peroxide can flow, this downward force may be maintained as long as desired without creating the possibility of an undue loss of peroxide.

When the downward pressure on piston 17a is released, the envelope 33a returns to its original shape with elements 31a Iand 32a separated, element 32a separated from basin 36, basin 36 in its original shape and filled with a new charge of liquid, and the interior of envelope 33a in contact with the exterior through passage 35a. This re' lease of pressure also permits members 10 and 12a to rise,

causing the 4outlet of reservoir 5 to be closed.

In anon-illustrated variation of the structure of FIG. 8, the lower surface of envelope 33a is made flat and the lower surface of element 32a is equipped with a downwardly opening, flexible, annular seal similar in structure to the seal 11 -of FIGS. 1 and 2. With this arrangement, the device would function by pressing down on the top of envelope 33a so kas to cause the seal t-o come in contact with the envelope base, with the result that a given mass of liquid will be trapped within the seal. The continued compression of the envelope causes this seal to be collapsed, forcing this mass of liquid upwardly through passages 34a, 35a and 4.

Whichever form is used for reservoir 1, it is preferred that the reservoir be lled with Ia quantity of peroxide which will last labout as long as the gas in reservoir 5 so that both supplies can be refilled or replaced at the same time.

While -a few illustrative embodiments have been shown and described herein, it should be understood that many variations could occur to u-s without departing from the spirit of the present invention and that the coverage thereof should therefore be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A lighting device for use with a tible gas, comprising:

(a) casing means having an interior cavity;

(b) a source of peroxide disposed in said cavity;

(c) a catalytical mass for exothermically decomposing said peroxide, said mass being supported in a position where it can be in communication with the region outside s-aid casing;

(d) conduit means connected between said source and said catalytical mass for conducting said peroxide into contact with said mass; and

(e) actuating means mounted on said casing forinducing Ia flow of peroxide through said conduit means.

2. A lighting device as recited in claim 1 wherein said catalytical mass comprises a body of spongy platinum in its activated state.

3. A lighting device as recited in claim 1 wherein said source of -peroxide contains stable hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of greater than 65%. t

4. A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a burner element fastened to said casing, said burner element being in the form of a cup and being made of a material which is porous, heat-insulating and tire-resistant, wherein said catalytical mass is disposed within the cup formed by said burner.

5. A device as recited in claim 4 wherein said conduit means deliver said peroxide into the cup formed by said burner element. f t

6. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a source of combustible gas, and wherein said conduit means comprises: a rst tubing having an inlet end connected to said source of peroxide and an outlet end in contact with said catalytical mass; and a second tubing having an inlet end connected to said source of combustible gas and an outlet end locatedin the vicinity of said catalytical mass.

7. A device as recited in claim 6 wherein said actuating means comprises a force applying element, and wherein said source of peroxide and said source of gas are positioned so that a single movement of said force applyingelement will simultaneously permit the How of gas through said second tubing and force a `quantity of peroxide through said rst tubing.

8. A device las recited in claim 7 wherein said source of peroxide comprises means which permit only a predetermined quantity of peroxide to be forced out of said source for each movement of said force applying element.

9. A device as recited in claim 6 wherein said outlet end of said first tubing consists of a rigid pipe in the outlet end of which said catalytical mass is fastened.

10. A device as recited in claim 6 wherein said source of peroxide comprises an envelope of exible, resilient source of combusmaterial and a quantity of peroxide partially llng the region enclosed `by said envelope.

11. A device as recited in claim 10, wherein said envelope comprises a rst protrusion extending from the upper surface of said envelope towards the interior of the region enclosed thereby, said protrusion having an axial passage therethrough and being connected to said first tubing so that said axial passage forms a continuous channel with said rst tubing and forms a means of communication between said rst tubing and the region enclosed by said envelope.

12. A device as recited in claim 11, wherein said envelope further comprises la second lprotrusion extending from the bottom of said envelope towards said first-protrusion and having at least one axial passage in alignment with said passage in said rst protrusion and in communication with said quantity of peroxide.

13. A device'as -recited in claim 12, wherein saidactuating means comprises means for compressing said flexible envelope so las to rst move said two protrusions into contact with one another in such a way that an -i-mpermeable joint will be formed therebetween and their respective axial passages will bein communicationrwith one another, and so as to then force peroxide throughy said passages, into said rst tubing and into Contact with said catalytical mass.

. 14. A source of peroxide for a gas lighting device,` comprising: a peroxide storing envelope made of a exi ble, resilient material and having an opening therein for the outletof said peroxide; a tubular protrusion disposed in said envelope and having an axial passage aligned with said opening; and a cavity disposed within said envelope in communication with the peroxide containing region thereof and in alignment with said passage of said protrusi-on, said cavity ybeing dimensioned to hold a predetermined quantity of peroxide, whereby when said envelope is compressed in a direction parallel to said axial passage, the peroxide in said cavity will -be isolated from the rest.

of the Vperoxide in said envelope and will be subjected to a pressure `urging it through said axial passage and through said opening in said envelope.

References Cited the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FREDERICK L. MATTESON, JR., Primary Examiner. ROBERT A. DUA, Examiner. 

1. A LIGHTING DEVICE FOR USE WITH A SOURCE OF COMBUSTIBLE GAS, COMPRISING: (A) CASING MEANS HAVING AN INTERIOR CAVITY; (B) A SOURCE OF PEROXIDE DISPOSED IN SAID CAVITY; (C) A CATALYTICAL MASS FOR EXOTHERMICALLY DECOMPOSING SAID PEROXIDE, SAID MASS BEING SUPPORTED IN A POSITION WHERE IT CAN BE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE REGION OUTSIDE SAID CASING; (D) CONDUIT MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID SOURCE AND SAID CATALYTICAL MASS FOR CONDUCTING SAID PEROXIDE INTO CONTACT WITH SAID MASS; AND (E) ACTUATING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CASING FOR INDUCING A FLOW OF PEROXIDE THROUGH SAID CONDUIT MEANS. 